Output Routing & Devices
Orbit renders ADM content to a 7.1.4 speaker layout, then derives binaural and stereo outputs from that same speaker field. This page explains how channels are mapped to your output device and how to customize routing when needed.
Default channel mapping (7.1.4)
ADM speaker labels map to outputs in Dolby Atmos order:
| Output | Speaker | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | L | Front Left |
| 2 | R | Front Right |
| 3 | C | Center |
| 4 | LFE | Subwoofer (no positional panning) |
| 5 | Ls | Side Left |
| 6 | Rs | Side Right |
| 7 | Lrs | Rear Left |
| 8 | Rrs | Rear Right |
| 9 | Ltf | Top Front Left |
| 10 | Rtf | Top Front Right |
| 11 | Ltr | Top Rear Left |
| 12 | Rtr | Top Rear Right |
- Beds: each DirectSpeakers bed channel is routed to its labeled speaker.
- Objects: panned across the 7.1.4 set (excluding LFE).
- LFE: never receives positional panning.
Auto-switching for smaller devices
- If the selected output device has fewer than 12 channels, Orbit automatically switches to Binaural mode (to avoid silent channels). You can still pick Stereo fold-down manually.
- Channel mapping resets to default when you change devices; this prevents stale routing.
Custom channel mapping
- When a 7.1.4-capable device is selected, you can remap ADM channels to device outputs in the Output configuration panel.
- “Reset mapping” returns to the 1:1 default above.
- For most QC, keep the default mapping so ADM-to-speaker intent is preserved.
Example: Audient ORIA (16-channel layout)
Product link: https://audient.com/products/monitor-controllers/oria/overview/
ORIA presents 16 outputs: L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs, Lrs, Rrs, Lw, Rw, Ltf, Rtf, Ltm, Rtm, Ltr, Rtr.
Map Orbit’s 7.1.4 to ORIA like this:
| Orbit ADM Channel | ORIA Output | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| L | 1 | Left |
| R | 2 | Right |
| C | 3 | Center |
| LFE | 4 | LFE |
| Ls | 5 | Left Surround |
| Rs | 6 | Right Surround |
| Lrs | 7 | Left Rear Surround |
| Rrs | 8 | Right Rear Surround |
| Ltf | 11 | Left Top Front |
| Rtf | 12 | Right Top Front |
| Ltr | 15 | Left Top Rear |
| Rtr | 16 | Right Top Rear |
ORIA's wides (9=Lw, 10=Rw) and top middles (13=Ltm, 14=Rtm) are unused for Atmos 7.1.4. Leave them unmapped in Orbit.
Routing presets
The output routing window supports saving and loading presets for quick switching between setups.
- The presets bar shows which preset is currently active.
- Save overwrites the active preset (with a confirmation prompt).
- Save As creates a new preset by name.
- Your active preset is remembered across app launches.
When loading a preset, Orbit checks whether the saved audio device is still available. If it isn't, a sheet shows which device is missing and lets you pick an alternative from your connected devices — with a warning if the replacement has fewer output channels than the original.
TIP
Create presets for each studio setup you work in (e.g., "Studio A — ORIA", "Headphones — AirPods Max"). Orbit will prompt you to pick an alternative device if you load a preset somewhere else.
Device refresh
- Use the device picker's Refresh Devices if you hot-swap interfaces or AirPods. AirPods head tracking availability follows the selected output device.